Matt Cardle has declared that Wagner Carrilho's presence in the X Factor final would be "a f**king joke".

The former painter and decorator, who is currently favourite to win the seventh series of the singing competition, revealed that he would be happiest to see Rebecca Ferguson in the final but hoped that the public eventually got rid of his Brazilian rival.

"It would be a f**king joke if Wagner got through to the final and I was against him," he told The Mirror. "I hope that the public would see sense if that did happen - or I just pray to God that they do."

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Despite his popularity with the public, Cardle added that he was aware that his fame could evaporate once the programme came to an end.

He added: "It's not like I'm James Blunt and have come out with an ace song like 'Beautiful' or released an amazing album.

"It's just a f**king TV show and it's like being on Big Brother. I'm very aware of why I am getting this attention. It's only a f**king show and it's weird."